Too often people forget that hospices and other healthcare institutions rely on funding. Without it, places like the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice cannot support those who are truly in need. This extends to palliative, neurological and bereavement support and care among others. The Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice provides a home away from home for its patients, their families and visitors.

Rob Thomas from WSI eMarketing originally visited the hospice as Charity Steward for the Gloucestershire Round Table Lodge, who had been approached to make a donation. From there, they wanted to promote the incredible facilities and work performed by dedicated staff and volunteers by creating a stunning 360° Virtual Tour. Not only is this part of their Corporate Social Responsibility but also because WSI eMarketing is a proud supporter of the institute.

What Is The Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice?

Based just outside Cheltenham, quietly nestled in the beautiful foothills of the Cotswolds, Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice is the only inpatient facility in Gloucestershire providing expert palliative care and support. They help people who are living with life-limiting conditions while also providing much-needed support to their families.

They have a 16-bed inpatient unit, a day hospice facility, hospice at home team, befriending service and family support team. Each year, the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice provides expert and compassionate palliative and bereavement care to approximately 635 people. Over and above that, they support many more of the patient’s family members and friends.

Where Did It All Begin?

The inpatient unit is housed in a Grade II* listed Cotswold Manor house which Sue Ryder purchased in 1978. Back then, the property was derelict with no roof and there was even a tree growing through the floor. Thanks to Sue Ryder’s vision and support from fundraisers, local businesses and volunteers, they undertook the monumental task of rebuilding and refurbishing.

This resulted in the transformation of the old manor house into the special place of palliative care you see today. That area is now used as a sanctuary for patients, families and visitors. It also serves as a meeting an training room where the hospice delivers a whole host of training for healthcare professionals in Gloucestershire.

Capturing The Leckhampton Court Hospice Experience

Using a drone is tricky in itself as it is heavily dependent on weather conditions. Fortunately, it was a sunny day with light wind and blossoming plants and trees which helped capture the most serene footage inside and outside.

Day Hospice Services

The day hospice provides palliative care and therapies to day patients on a 12-week programme. They have access to specialist medical and nursing care and support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, family support, spiritual care, complementary therapy and creative arts.

In the day hospice reception area, patients, outpatients and people attending family support sessions receive a warm welcome. Patients can enjoy a range of activities and treatments in the bright and airy day hospice building or quiet time if they prefer.

In-house Catering

The catering team prepares home-cooked lunches the patients can enjoy together with a glass of wine, beer or sherry after dinner. The day hospice also caters to people living with long term conditions as they can avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital.

Hospice At Home

Adding further value to patients and families, they offer a Hospice at Home service to the local community for those who would prefer palliative care in the comfort of their own homes.

Their expert team consists of doctors, nurses, care assistants, physiotherapists, occupational and complementary therapists, social workers and bereavement support workers. Everyone works seamlessly together to provide essential support to people going through difficult times.

Day Hospice Conservatory and Art Room

Patients can enjoy views of the surrounding gardens and picturesque Cotswold landscape in the day hospice conservatory. They can use the time to read, enjoy a cup of tea and a biscuit or observe the wildlife through the big windows or open door. There are many wild birds and squirrels frequenting the bird table just outside the door.

Numerous research studies have suggested that arts and creativity can support and enhance the wellbeing of patients and their families. The day hospice has an uplifting space run and managed by an art professional and dedicated, skilled volunteers. There is a wide variety of activities including painting, drawing, printmaking and felt making.

Physio And Occupational Therapies Room

The team of physiotherapists and occupational therapists at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice play a massive part in personalised care. They work with patients and their caregivers in the day hospice and inpatient unit to set goals and priorities. The aim is to help patients remain as independent as possible and achieve what they believe is important.

Depending on the patient, this can include improving mobility using appropriate walking aids and gentle exercise. It may also extend to providing advice and the right equipment to make it easier for patients to manage daily activities and advice on staying safe at home. The team also offers advice and practical solutions to help patients manage various symptoms. Among others, breathlessness, fatigue, anxiety and how to improve overall wellbeing.

Complementary Therapies At Leckhampton Court Hospice

The complementary therapy service at the day hospice offers a variety of relaxing treatments. This includes reflexology, massage therapy, aromatherapy, acupuncture and Reiki. These are accessible to day hospice patients, inpatients, outpatients and carers. Truth is, complementary therapies can help reduce stress, anxiety and irritability while aiding sleep and relieving aches and pains.

In-Patient Unit Courtyard

The front of the inpatient unit shows remarkable Tudor architecture which was aptly named the Tudor Ward. It features a peaceful garden designed by RHS Chelsea Gold Medal Winner, Peter Dowle, incorporating 45 different species.

The design has an olive tree, strawberry tree, an acer palmatum, a chines windmill palm and scotch pine. To celebrate the estate’s medieval history, the bedrocks are blocks of stone from the original 13th-century manor house. Many still display the marks from the stonemasons who handcrafted them.

In-Patient Unit Visitor’s Lounge

Patients, their families and visitors can relax in the inpatient unit lounge with sofas, a TV and a dining table with tea and coffee making facilities. The in-house catering team prepares freshly cooked homemade food for patients and visitors may also order meals. There are refreshments available to purchase in the lounge area as well. Volunteer Ward Hosts regularly walk around the ward with a tea and drinks trolley.

In the Palm Court corridor, from the days when the hospice was a Manor House, you can purchase cards and sweets with advice leaflets available containing information on upcoming fundraising events in support of the hospice.

Silence Is Golden With Th Day Hospice Quiet Room

At the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, the family support team consists of professional counsellors, a chaplain and trained volunteers. They provide patients, their loved ones and caregivers with emotional, spiritual and practical support.

Coming to terms with a diagnosis or losing a loved one is undoubtedly a difficult time for anyone. The teams help families and friends with the support and advice they so desperately need either individually or in a group setting. The Leckhampton Court Hospice Quiet Room is the ideal location and often used to meet with families.

Networking Opportunities

There is also a support structure available for patients’ caregivers through a dedicated group. Carers can enjoy tea or coffee and an opportunity to meet other carers to share their experiences. They can connect and network while finding out more about accessing additional practical and emotional support.

Tranquillity, Peace And Relaxation

The gardens at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice have beautiful lawns, planted beds and scenic views towards Gloucester, Cheltenham, The Malvern Hills and beyond. A 360° degree view of the gardens shows absolute serenity thanks to a team of 25 dedicated volunteer gardeners take care of the grounds all-year-round.

Patients, families and visitors can enjoy the hospice grounds throughout the year with beautiful views for every season. There are herbaceous borders and an orchard showing off flowering shrubs, climbers, and attractive acers. The grounds include sedum, fuchsia, wild roses, lupins, hardy geraniums, allium, lavendula, buddleja, digitalis, hosta, and aubrieta among others.

A Lake View And Wildlife

At the front of the day hospice building is a lake with a fully accessible wheelchair friendly walk. The Sir Charles Irving Woodland Walk was first introduced in 2018 for patients and families. They can walk around the lake and capture the serene surroundings and abundance of wildlife. Some of the animals frequently spotted are ducks, geese, moorhens and visiting heron.

That’s not all though as deer, wild birds, squirrels and Muntjac also visit the gardens behind the day hospice. At the top of the garden are fields that a local sheep farmer rents and during spring, the sight and sounds of lambs are in abundance.

An Idyllic Space For Events

The back lawn at the day hospice is an idyllic space for everyone which has been used to host many hospice events. This includes the summer volunteer party, fundraising events, including an outdoor theatre, autumn fayres, brass band performances and Easter Egg hunts.

The Sir Charles Irving Woodland Walk And Terrace

Patients, families and hospice visitors can enjoy the Charles Irving Woodland Walk which loops around the pond and woodland. It was installed in 2018 thanks to a donation from The Charles Irving Charitable Trust.

There is also a woodland picnic area offering ample space for people to enjoy being out in the fresh air. From there you can spot a Yellow Norwegian Maple planted by the Hospice’s Royal Patron, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. This marked his 70th birthday year when visiting the hospice in 2018.

A classic Cotswold stone terrace and seating area to the front of the hospice inpatient unit offers the perfect spot to enjoy these breathtaking views. It was refurbished in 2018 thanks to a donation from The Charles Irving Charitable Trust.

Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice Operating Hours

The inpatient unit is open 24 hours every day of the year with free parking and overnight amenities. Reception is usually staffed between 09:00 – 20:00 on weekdays and 09:00 – 19:00 on weekends, thanks to the receptionist and dedicated volunteers.

If you are visiting outside of the stipulated times, there is a bell you can ring where nursing staff will let you in. Please be patient though as the nursing team will be caring for patients and may be delayed. Upon arrival, sign in at reception and please use the available hand sanitiser. You are welcome to bring flowers and even pets but check with the nursing team first.

How You Can Get Involved

Whether somebody is dealing with a terminal illness or losing a loved one, they are there when it matters. Sue Ryder’s staff and volunteers provide people with the compassion and expert care they need to help them live the best life they can.

While the services at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice are free, it costs £10,000 per day to run successfully. They urgently need more supporters to organise events and fundraising challenges as most of the money requires fundraising. Be part of the change and help them continue providing specialist care to those who need it most.

Fundraising Information

Visit their website for more information on upcoming fundraising events from open mic nights, coffee mornings to pub quizzes and Halloween Fun Day. Individuals and businesses can join the fundraising efforts with charity partnerships, sponsorships, creative fundraising and corporate volunteering opportunities.

Or you can donate by simply clicking this button

Support the hospice means that their professional fundraising team will work with businesses to create a personalised plan to meet your specific needs. If you would like to get involved as a volunteer or for donations, please contact the team on 01242 246 285.

You can also send an email to leckhampton.fundraising@sueryder.org.

A Personal Touch Long-Forgotten

It is not all too often that one receives a ‘hand-written’ letter or card these days but Sue Ryder’s team is different. Alysia Cameron-Price, the Community Fundraising Manager, sent WSI eMarketing a hand-written Thank You Note for doing the drone videos. This highlights their dedication and attention to detail showing what type of care and support people can expect.

“The team at WSI have been a pleasure to work with from start to finish. Rob listened to our brief and created the perfect content for our hospice – which we can share with potential patients and supporters. It will be an incredibly valuable tool to help dispel the myths surrounding hospice care. Rob even went above and beyond helping us with the voiceover and offering to come back and film some parts we weren’t able to do on the day. The customer service and professionalism is to be commended and I would recommend them to anyone. “

Alysia Cameron–Price
Community Fundraising Manager
Leckhampton Court Hospice

If you would like more information on WSI eMarketing, visit the website and follow their weekly blog. They specialise in several areas including content creation, social media marketing, PPC, marketing automation and online reputation management and of course we also now offer video production including drone footage and virtual tours like these. So if you want/need such a video for your organisation please just call Rob Thomas on 07788916505 to discuss what you had in mind.